Chargers get two 4th rounders

The Chargers had hoped for a third-round pick and fourth-round pick for losing Michael Turner and Drayton Florence in free agency last year. They just missed. The NFL announced its compensatory draft picks a few minutes ago, and the Chargers received the first two compensatory picks of the fourth round -- the 133rd and 134th picks overall.

If Turner wasn't worth a 3rd round pick with the season he had, then who is?!?!?Also, how is DFlo considered the same as Turner? If our picks are back to back, that means they were rated almost identically, right? BS.

well we got the first-fourth round compensatory pick so for sure they were thinking we had earned a third but they just didn't want to give it to us or something. Oh well, now we've got two fourths and we just have to make it work.

I am stunned and pissed. How do the freakin Pats get a 3rd rounder and we don't. If this isn't biased I dunno wot is. Who did they lose that warrants a 3rd rounder when the Burner does not?. Was it Asante Samuel?.

Bleeding Hell. Anyone have a link to let me know who got the 3rd rounders and why?.

With the two picks San Diego received Monday, they now own eight picks in this year’s draft. They’ll pick 16th overall in the first round and 78th in the third. Their three picks in the fourth round come at the 113th, 133rd and 134th picks. They’ll also pick in the fifth (148), sixth (189) and seventh (224) rounds. The Chargers don’t pick in the second round this year. They traded that selection to the New England Patriots last April in order to move up in the 2008 draft to secure running back Jacob Hester.

DANA POINT – The Chargers received two extra fourth-round picks as the latest fruits of A.J. Smith's inactivity in free agency, the general manager's annual attempt to add by subtraction.

The two fourths – picks Nos. 133 and 134 at the end of the round – were less than what the Chargers had hoped, but Smith insisted the picks will serve his purpose.

“We knew at least two fours and hoped for the bonus (of one of those being a third-rounder),” he said. “No bonus. (But) I like it. We'll do what we can. It's an opportunity to get players.”

Smith has parlayed the benefit of compensatory picks the past two drafts into trades for higher picks. In 2007, he took advantage of an extra third-rounder in a package to move up and take Eric Weddle. Last year he did the same thing with an extra fifth-rounder as part of a package for the pick he used on Jacob Hester.

“Threes and fours are impactful in the draft, either to execute or as ammunition,” Smith said. “ ... We could be creative and go to the second (round).”

While they now have five picks in the first 134 selections, the Chargers do not possess a second-rounder, having traded it away for Hester.

A compensatory pick cannot be traded, but having the extra picks allows for the possibility to trade a team's original picks.

Compensatory picks are awarded to teams losing more, or better, free agents than it gains in the previous year. The NFL Management Council Executive Committee determines the picks to be awarded based on a closely guarded formula that essentially takes into account the salary, playing time and postseason awards earned by the free agents lost and gained.

Based on the total potential value of the contracts signed with their new clubs, Drayton Florence and Michael Turner were considered to have inked contracts in the top 10 of last year's free agent class. Turner was the league's second-leading rusher and second-leading scorer and was named to the All-Pro team.

But the Executive Committee awarded just four third-round picks this season. The Chargers got the fifth and sixth compensatory picks.

“I'm happy for the fact I know they're coming,” Smith said.

Commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that by the end of these meetings Wednesday, the league would be prepared to begin negotiations on a new labor deal with the players' union, and he believes an uncapped season in 2010 and work stoppage in '11 will be avoided. Owners met here Monday morning and began the process of establishing “key priorities in the collective bargaining process,” according to Goodell.

“The primary issue is we need a system that will allow the game to grow,” Goodell said. “We want the players to benefit and we want the league to benefit by that continued growth. The challenging times make it even more difficult. ... There is a lot of risk out there, and that risk is falling on the owners.”

The league seems prepared to use the economy as a bargaining tool against the players as it highlights the fact that sponsorship and licensing revenue are down, along with season ticket sales.

Owners voted last spring to do away with the current CBA after the 2010 season. They are unhappy with the revenue split, which guarantees players 60 percent of revenues.

Goodell met last week with DeMaurice Smith, the new NFLPA executive director. Goodell told him he expected the league to be ready after these meetings to commence negotiations whenever Smith was comfortable.

Expanded regular season

Owners will not vote this week on expanding the regular season but began yesterday assessing the possibility of adding one or two regular-season games.

“I think it's a great idea,” Chargers President Dean Spanos said. “I think that's the direction we're headed. We want to make it work if we possibly can.”

It's highly unlikely any schedule alteration would take place before 2011, as issues of roster size and television contracts have to be addressed.

Since Senile Al overpays for Gabril Wilson, who doesn't do much to help the Raiders, and is now gone, the Giants get a 3. Meanwhile, Atlanta signs Michael Turner who goes on to start all year, help the team make the playoffs, go to the Pro Bowl, etc. and we get a 4.